Poetry has long been rooted in oral tradition, predating written language by millennia. In its early forms, it served as a vital tool for preserving history, legends, and knowledge. Rhythm, rhyme, and repetition were integral to its recitation, making it both memorable and meaningful. Early poetry often took the shape of epic narratives, hymns, chants, and ballads—many deeply intertwined with religion and philosophy. The late 20th century saw a resurgence of spoken word and slam poetry, revitalizing poetry as a live, performative art. With a potent mix of rhythm, rhyme, and impassioned delivery, spoken word poetry creates an electrifying experience, connecting with audiences in ways that the written word alone cannot. As the digital age exploded, spoken word found its place at the forefront of cultural conversations. In India, this wave of spoken word has also gained significant momentum. Poets across the country have used the form to address a broad range of issues—from mental h...
Starting as a joke—an offhand comment during their weekend hangouts at the local coffee shops—the five of them decided to perform at an open mic that was only meant for them. It was Maya, the quiet one with a penchant for writing poetry that no one ever read, who had casually suggested this activity just for fun. “You know, we all have different talents, but what would happen if we got together to perform our open mic at the coffee shop?” Bursting into laughter, her friends gazed at one another after Maya suggested this. The group was a mix of five different personalities – Aarav , who was the spontaneous one and was always up for anything; Sanya – the perfectionist who couldn’t even sing in the shower without rehearsing, Arjun – the jokestar who’d never been seen without his guitar; and Shruti , – the performer who always had a bold idea brewing. “Yeah, sure, let’s all embarrass ourselves publicly”, Aarav t...